Labour’s Ashley Dalton has won the West Lancashire by-election.
Ms Dalton, who works part-time for a local charity, won a Conservative majority of 8,326.
Voting began after Labor veteran Rosie Cooper, who represented the seat for 17 years, resigned.
In her victory speech at Briscoe Racquet and Fitness Centre, Ms Dalton said voters had sent a message to the Conservative government that they “didn’t trust her to govern”.
“Prime Minister, your government has no idea or plan to solve the major problems facing our country such as record levels of child poverty and people dying waiting for ambulances,” he said.
Turnout was less than 32 percent in the by-election held in bitterly cold conditions. It saw a 10.52% swing from the Tories to Labour.
The result, announced early on Friday, was Labour’s third by-election victory in recent months after the party easily captured both the Stratford and Urmston and City of Cheshire seats in December.
Labor was widely expected to comfortably retain the seat, having won the 2019 general election with 27,458 votes, while the Conservatives came second with 19,122, followed by the Liberal Democrats on 2,560. stay on
This year the Liberal Democrats finished fourth behind Reform UK (formerly the Brexit Party).
Full By-election Results:
- Labour (Ashley Dalton) – 14,068
- Conservative (Mike Prendergast) – 5,742
- Reform UK (Jonathan Kay) – 997
- Liberal Democrat (Jo Barton) – 918
- Green (Peter Cranie) – 646
- Official Monster Raving Loony Party (Howling Laud Hope) – 210
Turnout: 31.3%; Swing: 10.5% from Conservative to Labour
The constituency of West Lancashire is in a part of the North West traditionally dominated by Labour.
Ashley Dalton previously lost at Rochford and South End East.
Mike Prendergast, the Conservative candidate for the seat, is a former Tory group leader for nearby Sefton Council.
